1. The nature and development of international law; 2. International law today; 3. Sources; 4. International law and municipal law; 5. The subjects of international law; 6. The international protection of human rights; 7. The regional protection of human rights; 8. Individual criminal responsibility in international law; 9. Recognition; 10. Territory; 11. The law of the sea; 12. Jurisdiction; 13. Immunities from jurisdiction; 14. State responsibility; 15. International environmental law; 16. The law of treaties; 17. State succession; 18. The settlement of disputes by peaceful means; 19. The International Court of Justice; 20. International law and the use of force by states; 21. International humanitarian law; 22. The United Nations; 23. International institutions.

Alongside new chapters dealing with human rights and the United Nations, Shaw has incorporated new material on international environmental law, state succession, recognition, the settlement of disputes by peaceful means and international institutions.